Oconee lawmakers hope county in line for new nuclear plant

U.S. Representative Gresham Barrett, left, R-SC., a native of Westminster, makes a point about energy during a breakfast meeting of the Greater Seneca Chamber of Commerce Friday at Duke's World of Energy next to Oconee Nuclear Station. State Rep. Bill Sandier, R-Seneca, center and state Senator Thomas Alexander, R-Walhalla, right, also addressed about 30 chamber members and guests on issues before the state legislature.

SENECA - The high cost of gasoline has driven the nation's energy policies to the top of the news and Oconee County is poised to be in the driver's seat of new policies that are expected to make America energy independent.

Speaking to about 30 Greater Seneca Chamber of Commerce members and guests Friday, U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, R-S.C., a native of Oconee County, said he has called on the leadership in the U.S. House to reconvene and address the country's energy needs.

"It has been frustrating," Barrett said. "We need American solutions for America and America's resources should be used for America."

Nuclear energy was on everyone's mind with Oconee Nuclear Station operating just outside the windows of Duke Energy's World of Energy where the breakfast meeting was held and included state Senator Thomas Alexander, R-Walhalla, and state Rep. Bill Sandifer, R-Seneca.

Sandifer said South Carolina is not standing still when it comes to harnessing more energy.

"The Public Service Commission has granted Duke permission to move forward with a new nuclear plant in Cherokee County," Sandifer said. "That is a giant step. What I find neat about it is Oconee County may have an opportunity to be next in line. I have told Ellen Ruff and I remind her every time I see her we are next in line and we want that plant."

Ruff is president of Duke Energy of the Carolinas.

"‘It is important that we be here at Duke this morning so we can celebrate with all of you that we are moving ahead with nuclear energy in South Carolina," Sandifer said.

Barrett said nuclear energy was a key component of a new energy plan for America and that oil would be a bridge to where the country is going.

"A constituent in Aiken told me he took home $320 week after taxes and was now putting $90 in his gas tank,' Barrett said. "We can't afford that as a state or nation. Look for an energy plan to roll out in late September. Someday I see Congress saying ‘South Carolina got it right, why don't we do that.'"

Alexander, who said the state's lawmakers are aware that the energy situation will not be solved strictly by conservation, also addressed immigration.

"We want to put in place in South Carolina a system that includes the rule of law," Alexander said. "The system that includes the right kind of review and it will be phased in now, in 2009 and in 2010."

Alexander said South Carolina welcomes anyone who is here legally and the responsibility will be on employers in the state's communities to ensure workers are here legally.